Savannah Premises Liability Attorney
Premises liability refers to the legal responsibility that all property owners have to others to keep their property safe, and to warn of unsafe or dangerous conditions that may cause injuries. All property owners, private and public, bear liability for what happens on their premises, but places of public accommodation, such as retail stores, restaurants, parks, theaters, schools, and more, have a heightened duty of care because they are open for public use. The duty of care refers to the obligation of property owners to avoid acts or omissions that, with reasonable foreseeability, are likely to cause harm to others.
If you were injured because a property owner breached the duty of care, speak to an experienced premises liability lawyer as soon as possible. Contact Hasner Law in Savannah at (912) 234-2334 or online to schedule a free consultation and learn if our legal team can help you.
Hasner Law: Your Premises Liability Choice
The lawyers at Hasner Law have years of experience handling personal injury cases, including those with premises liability claims. We have successfully negotiated settlements on behalf of our clients, and in cases where settlement has not been possible, litigated claims to ensure our clients received the compensation they deserved for their damages.
While past results do not guarantee future success, and every case is unique and depends on the facts specific to it, Hasner Law commits to ensure that every client’s case gets the best possible outcome.
Premises Liability Injuries
Premises liability claims often arise when victims are injured in accidents with common contributing factors. These may include slips and falls, construction site hazards, fires, swimming pools, falling equipment or merchandise, dangerous animals, inadequate security, or criminal attacks.
Slip and falls: Slip and fall accidents may occur when hazards or debris are not removed, water is allowed to pool, or sidewalks and driveways are not cleared after bad weather. While anyone may become a victim of a slip and fall injury, people with disabilities and older people are especially at risk. Slip and fall accidents can cause:
- Traumatic brain injuries or concussions
- Broken bones
- Sprains and strains
- Spinal cord damage
- Cuts and lacerations
- Severe bruises
Construction sites: Many commercial and public facilities remain open for business during limited construction and renovation projects. While this practice may generally benefit owners and their patrons or guests, it brings heightened risk. Owners must take necessary precautions to ensure construction activity does not result in accidents or injuries that may include:
- Traumatic brain injury or concussion
- Spinal cord trauma
- Broken bones
- Crushing damage
- Electrical-induced injuries, including electrocution
Falling equipment or merchandise: Falling items, such as merchandise stacked too high or improperly affixed fixtures, may cause injuries including:
- Spinal cord damage
- Traumatic brain injury or concussion
- Broken bones
- Bruising
Other common injuries and damages in premises liability accidents may include burns, smoke inhalation, drowning or near-drowning, animal bites or attacks resulting in lacerations or broken bones, sexual assault, battery and assault, property damage or loss, and even wrongful death.
Premises Liability: Who Is Responsible?
All property owners have legal obligations to protect others, including a duty to carry insurance per state and federal laws. If you suffered an injury in an accident and believe you may have a premises liability claim, speak to a lawyer who may help you identify answers to the following questions:
- Who had a duty of care? Identifying all parties with a duty of care may prove more challenging than simply reading a sign outside of a building. For example, if you were injured while shopping in a retail store, multiple parties may owe you a duty of care, including the property owner, the property manager, and the property tenant (in cases where the store space is leased). Victims injured on government-owned property may have additional challenges in identifying and pursuing claims against all potentially liable parties, as governments (municipal, state, and federal) may enjoy sovereign immunity that protects them from certain lawsuits or damages.
- Did someone breach the duty of care? If the party who had the duty could reasonably foresee the risk of harm but failed to prevent that harm from occurring, a breach may have occurred. This means maintaining safe conditions, and providing adequate warnings of unsafe or dangerous conditions.
- Were damages caused by that breach of the duty of care? Negligence is a legal term that requires a showing of four factors: 1) duty of care, 2) breach, 3) causation, and 4) damages. Therefore, a premises liability victim who visits a grocery store, slips in an unmarked puddle of water in front of the produce section, falls, and breaks a wrist may have a claim of negligence against the store. Negligence requires all four elements—it is not enough for a duty of care to exist and a breach of that duty to take place if the breach does not directly cause the victim’s damages.
Recoverable Damages
If you or a loved one was injured in a premises liability accident, you may recover economic and non-economic damages. These may include:
- Medical expenses, including emergency treatments, surgeries, radiology, hospitalization, medication, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatments
- Lost wages or lost future income
- Property repair or replacement
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Funeral and burial expenses in wrongful death cases
Do You Need a Lawyer? Call Hasner Law Today!
Many people believe they can’t afford to hire a lawyer. However, most victims can’t afford not to get legal help. A lawyer offers counsel, representation in negotiations, and, when necessary, advocacy in litigation.
The lawyers at Hasner Law understand the stress and emotional burden of being injured through no fault of your own. We believe our clients should not have to suffer the additional financial strain of paying for the legal help they deserve, so we provide our services on a contingent fee basis. That means we will deduct the costs of litigation and representation from any future settlement or award instead of an advance retainer or payments directly from the client.
If you were injured because a property owner breached the duty of care, speak to an experienced premises liability lawyer as soon as possible. Contact Hasner Law in Savannah at (912) 234-2334 or online to schedule a free consultation and learn if our legal team can help you.
